“That Was a Wonderful Fairy Tale!”

This article approaches the extensive media and art around the fairy tale Der fliegende Koffer (1839) by Hans Christian Andersen. Media adaptations of the fairy tale over the past centuries beginning with the original story by the Danish author and the first illustration by Vilhelm Pedersen are examined. Between 1900 and 1945 two cinematic adaptations have to be considered: Lotte Reiniger’s silhouette movie Der fliegende Koffer (1921) and a puppet animation movie by the Hohnsteiner Puppenspiele from 1944. In addition, modern cartoon versions are analysed and intermedial individual references in television including their sometimes far-reaching consequences (in terms of merchandising products etc.) are highlighted. The first audio versions of Andersen’s fairy tale can be found on the radio of the Weimar Republic and during the Nazi dictatorship but cannot be analysed in detail due to the lack of archive recordings. Der fliegende Koffer still seems to be popular today as new media adaptations (like audiobooks etc.) are constantly being published. Among these media publications there is a large variance in terms of motive, topography, characters, target groups or even meanings of the fairy tale. The catchy image of the flying trunk seems to act as a common constant or essence of the different publications. Chronological changes of the Stoff over time could not be found.